Post by Rio Doherty on Nov 29, 2019 8:12:13 GMT

Our first game at the newly-named 1885 Arena is tomorrow afternoon as we host Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC at home in the Vanarama National League North where we look to extend our fine run of form. The National League North has now reverted to the Vanarama National League North following a spell where it was named the Manarama National League North to raise awareness for prostate cancer. It is vital we record our third consecutive win to keep up with the top two as we should have one or two players coming back. Also, we have to be clinical for the entire game as Bradford are the type of side who can upset the apple cart, so we need to avoid a Curzon-esque type of result.

Our last match was last Saturday which saw us win 1-0 away at Brackley Town in the Buildbase FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round. It wasn’t the greatest of games, but our gutsy display capitalised on Brackley’s bad finishing which saw us book a place in the next round. The first half was a dire spectacle as there was little goalmouth action to liven things up. However, the second period was much better as both sides had lots of good chances. It was us who delivered when it really mattered, as Brad Jackson threaded the ball through to Anthony Dudley who lifted the ball over the ‘keeper to make it 1-0 to us. The hosts tried their utmost to find an equaliser, but we advanced to the next stage to the expense of their poor form in front of goal.

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC will be making the trip from Yorkshire having endured a torrid season so far. Due to financial troubles a number of members of last season’s impressive squad left during the Summer, which is why they are in the position they are in right now. Former Bradford City player Garry Thompson was appointed as their manager back in the Summer, but after just TWO matches he was sacked. Granted, both of the matches were 5-0 defeats but that is still way too early to show the manager the door. It took a while for Avenue to appoint a new boss, but at the end of September Mark Bower returned in a bid to turn things around. Bower worked wonders in his last spell there, but he has shown little signs of improvement this time out as Bradford currently sit six points adrift. Our opponents did record an impressive 2-0 win at Gloucester City in the cup last weekend though, so perhaps that could be a turning point. Former centre back Jon Moran signed for our opponents during the Summer, but he will be unable to play tomorrow as he is currently out on loan at Stafford Rangers.

It has been a couple of weeks since we were last at home so we need to all get down there in our numbers to keep our great form up. Hopefully Akwasi Asante will be eligible to start as he was decent when he came on at Brackley, and if so then we will have a massive chance of winning the game. No game in this division is easy so we must play like we have in recent weeks to avoid an upset. Up The Seals!

Post by Lobster on Nov 29, 2019 8:57:23 GMT

I suspect it will be a bit of a slog but we'll get the three points.

What's the recent introduction of brackets in their name all about? It seems like they're trying to rebrand as Bradford FC, but to avoid confusion with Bradford City, they're parenthesising the Park Avenue after it. Looks weird. I think they have a good name that's a bit different and they'd be better off embracing it.

Post by Rio Doherty on Nov 29, 2019 10:18:57 GMT

What's the recent introduction of brackets in their name all about? It seems like they're trying to rebrand as Bradford FC, but to avoid confusion with Bradford City, they're parenthesising the Park Avenue after it. Looks weird. I think they have a good name that's a bit different and they'd be better off embracing it.